Evaluation:  

             Grades:  Evaluation in this course will involve both formative (ungraded) and summative (graded) assessments.  Examples of formative assessments include peer/self-assessments, exit slips, solo and group performances, reflections, and written assessments.  Summative assessments could include performance tests, written assessments, and demonstrating mastery of skills and concepts.  Students are always encouraged to redo assessments if they would like to improve themselves.

              Work Habits: A Letter of G, S, or N will be assigned based on timely assignment completion, classroom attitude, behaviour, participation, and contribution to the music group.

Summative (final) assessments:

• Small playing/rhythm/listening tests (individually or in groups)

• Short written theory assignments

• project work/group in-class performances

Students will receive feedback throughout the course, but marks for final grades will not be collected until the end of the course.  This allows students to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes without the stress of lowering their final grade in the course.

Work ethic will be marked based on the following scale:  G, S, or N

    G - students who show up to each class with a good attitude, a pencil and all handouts and supplies.  They are also encouraging and respectful to others.

    S - students will receive an S if they are not meeting all of the above requirements on a regular basis.  (every student can have a bad day, so I am looking at the big picture)

    N - students struggle with most or all of the requirements of a G.

Congratulations on joining band!  It is my hope that the skills and experiences in this course will impact you in a meaningful way for the rest of your life.  Musical ability is not something people are born with or without.  Rather, it is a rich and fulfilling part of the human experience that is available to everyone.  My goal as a music teacher is to provide the skills and knowledge to allow each and every student to enjoy making music for the rest of their lives - to feel confident enough to call themselves musical!

Becoming a musician does take persistent commitment and practice (or playing!) habits. There are great experiences ahead, and you should put in the individual practice time to get the most from the course.  It is expected that every student practice outside of class on a regular basis.

Because this course is a performance course, there are expectations around concert attire and attendance.  Please make sure you read the music program handbook on the resources/forms page to make sure you are aware of the concert schedule and dress requirements.

SmartMusic:  Students have the option of subscribing to Smartmusic.  It is a fantastic practicing resource that many students find quite helpful and motivating.  Please visit the Smartmusic page for more information.

This course will cover:

• Instrumental Music and playing in an ensemble

• Music History and Theory

• Composition and Improvisation

• Listening to a variety of music styles and genres

• At least 2 major scales and the chromatic scale

• Instrumental technique

MATERIALS: Please be sure that you are prepared with the following materials every class. Part of your work ethic grade is or being prepared:

• Instrument in working order

• Sharpened Pencil

• Great Attitude

• Supplies from Music Supply List

Evaluation:  

             Grades:  Evaluation in this course will involve both formative (ungraded) and summative (graded) assessments.  Examples of formative assessments include peer/self-assessments, exit slips, solo and group performances, reflections, and written assessments.  Summative assessments could include performance tests, written assessments, and demonstrating mastery of skills and concepts.  Students are always encouraged to redo assessments if they would like to improve themselves.

              Work Habits: A Letter of G, S, or N will be assigned based on practice records, timely assignment completion, classroom attitude, behaviour, participation, and contribution to the music group.

Expectations:

• 1. Have Fun!  

  2. Respect!  This is the #1 classroom rule.  Be Kind.  Be supportive.

  3. Come Prepared.  This is an essential part of being successful in this course and means coming to each class with instruments, method books, binders, pencils, and any other required supplies.

  4. Attendance:  It is very difficult to do well in this course if you miss classes.  If you miss a class it is your responsibility to come and see me as soon as you return to school and to practice to catch up.  Step one is discussing with your classmates what you missed, and checking the website for handouts you may have missed.  Communicate with me upon your return.

  5.  Practice: Practice is the key to improving any skill.  I will guide students to develop strategies to make practicing fun.

Parents:  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s progress and/or the classroom expectations.

Welcome to second-year band!  It is my hope that the skills and experiences in this course will continue to impact you in a meaningful way for the rest of your life.  Musical ability is not something people are born with or without.  Rather, it is a rich and fulfilling part of the human experience that is available to everyone.  My goal as a music teacher is to provide the skills and knowledge to allow each and every student to enjoy making music for the rest of their lives - to feel confident enough to call themselves musical!

Becoming a musician does take persistent commitment and practice (or playing!) habits. There are great experiences ahead, and you should put in the individual practice time to get the most from the course.  It is expected that every student practice outside of class on a regular basis.

Because this course is a performance course, there are expectations around concert attire and attendance.  Please make sure you read the music program handbook on the resources/forms page to make sure you are aware of the concert schedule and dress requirements.

SmartMusic:  Students have the option of subscribing to Smartmusic.  It is a fantastic practicing resource that many students find quite helpful and motivating.  Please visit the Smartmusic page for more information.

This course will cover:

• Instrumental music and playing in an ensemble

• Music history, theory, and culture

• Composition and improvisation

• Listening to a variety of music styles and genres

• At least 4 major scales, the chromatic scale, introduction to minor scales, and arpeggios and basic scale patterns

• Instrumental technique

• Ear training

MATERIALS: Please be sure that you are prepared with the following materials every class. Part of your work ethic grade is or being prepared:

• Instrument in working order

• Sharpened Pencil

• Great Attitude

• Supplies from Music Supply List

Evaluation:  

             Grades:  Evaluation in this course will involve both formative (ungraded) and summative (graded) assessments.  Examples of formative assessments include peer/self-assessments, exit slips, solo and group performances, reflections, and written assessments.  Summative (final) assessments could include performance tests, written assessments, and demonstrating mastery of skills and concepts.  Students are always encouraged to redo assessments if they would like to improve themselves.

              Work Habits: A Letter of G, S, or N will be assigned based on practice records, timely assignment completion, classroom attitude, behaviour, participation, and contribution to the music group.

Expectations:

• 1. Have Fun!  

  2. Respect!  This is the #1 classroom rule.  Be Kind.  Be supportive.

  3. Come Prepared.  This is an essential part of being successful in this course and means coming to each class with instruments, method books, binders, pencils, and any other required supplies.

  4. Attendance:  It is very difficult to do well in this course if you miss classes.  If you miss a class it is your responsibility to come and see me as soon as you return to school and to practice to catch up.  Step one is discussing with your classmates what you missed, and checking the website for handouts you may have missed.  Communicate with me upon your return.

  5.  Practice: Practice is the key to improving any skill.  I will guide students to develop strategies to make practicing fun.

Parents:  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s progress and/or the classroom expectations.

In this third-year music course, you will begin encountering more complex and beautiful music!  At this point in your musical education, you probably value music and are building a desire to become an accomplished musician.  

As you gain skills and confidence, it is still important to have persistent commitment and practice (or playing!) habits.  It is expected that every student will practice outside of class on a regular basis.  Because this course is a performance course, there are expectations around concert attire and attendance.  Please make sure you read the music program handbook on the resources/forms page to make sure you are aware of the concert schedule and dress requirements.

Band 9 students have the opportunity to participate in a music tour in April or May each year.  If you have not yet been informed about this year's trip plans, or you missed the parent meeting and follow-up email in June, please reach out to Mrs. Gorman right away.  kimberly.gorman@sd23.bc.ca

SmartMusic:  Students have the option of subscribing to Smartmusic.  It is a fantastic practicing resource that many students find quite helpful and motivating.  Please visit the Smartmusic page for more information.

This course will cover:

• Instrumental music and playing in an ensemble, including musical works at a grade 2 level and higher

• Music history, theory, and culture

• Composition and improvisation

• Listening to a variety of music styles and genres

• At least 6 major scales and their relative minor scales.  Students will also begin creating their own scale patterns and should be comfortable improvising within a given scale.  

• Chromatic scale the full range of the instrument

• Instrumental technique

• Ear training

MATERIALS: Please be sure that you are prepared with the following materials every class. Part of your work ethic grade is or being prepared:

• Instrument in working order

• Sharpened Pencil

• Great Attitude

• Supplies from Music Supply List

Evaluation:  

             Grades:  Evaluation in this course will involve both formative (ungraded) and summative (graded) assessments.  Examples of formative assessments include peer/self-assessments, exit slips, solo and group performances, reflections, and written assessments.  Summative assessments could include performance tests, written assessments, and demonstrating mastery of skills and concepts.  Students are always encouraged to redo assessments if they would like to improve themselves.

              Work Habits: A Letter of G, S, or N will be assigned based on practice records, timely assignment completion, classroom attitude, behaviour, participation, and contribution to the music group.

Expectations:

• 1. Have Fun!  

  2. Respect!  This is the #1 classroom rule.  Be Kind.  Be supportive.

  3. Come Prepared.  This is an essential part of being successful in this course and means coming to each class with instruments, method books, binders, pencils, and any other required supplies.

  4. Attendance:  It is very difficult to do well in this course if you miss classes.  If you miss a class it is your responsibility to come and see me as soon as you return to school and to practice to catch up.  Step one is discussing with your classmates what you missed, and checking the website for handouts you may have missed.  Communicate with me upon your return.

  5.  Practice: Practice is the key to improving any skill.  I will guide students to develop strategies to make practicing fun.

Parents:  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s progress and/or the classroom expectations.

Course Overview/Content:

In Choir, students will learn many valuable skills, such as vocal care, proper singing technique, and ensemble performance.  Students may be asked to switch between alto and soprano parts, depending on range and ensemble considerations.  All sections will have opportunities to sing melody and harmony, and will have equal opportunity to receive solos.

Choir Performance

• 1. Students will learn about singing in a variety of styles.

  2. Students will perform at several events/festivals throughout the year (including the possibility of a retreat!)

Music Theory: 

• 1. Students will learn to read basic rhythms and note intervals.

  2. Students will learn about musical phrasing, balance and blend.

  3. A variety of musical performances will be played during class time to introduce students to the genre of vocal music.

Creativity:

1. Students will learn about improvisation and composition through small group and full-ensemble games and sound painting.

Evaluation: 

             Grades:  Evaluation in this course will involve both formative (ungraded) and summative (graded) assessments.  Examples of formative assessments include peer/self-assessments, exit slips, solo and group performances, reflections, and written assessments.  Summative assessments could include performance tests, written assessments, and demonstrating mastery of skills and concepts.  Students are always encouraged to redo assessments if they would like to improve themselves.

              Work Habits: A Letter of G, S, or N will be assigned based on timely assignment completion, classroom attitude, behaviour, participation, and contribution to the music group.

Expectations:

• 1. Respect!  This is the #1 classroom rule.  Be kind.  Be supportive.  Be vulnerable.

  2. Come Prepared.  This is an essential part of being successful in this course and means coming to each class with binders, pencils, and any other required supplies.

  3. Attendance:  It is very difficult to do well in this course if you miss classes.  If you miss a class it is your responsibility to come and see me as soon as you return to school and to practice to catch up.  Step one is discussing with your classmates what you missed, and checking the website for handouts you may have missed.  Communicate with me upon your return.

  4. Practice: Practice is the key to improving any skill.  I expect that ALL students in this course will practice regularly.  I will guide students towards making practicing fun!

Parents:  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s progress and/or the classroom expectations.

Secret word:  Harmony

Welcome to the GMS Jazz Program!  This is one of the areas where students get the chance to dive deeper into this genre and start to learn about jazz theory and improvisation.  Students must be enrolled in the concert band program to be able to participate in jazz.  *Exceptions are sometimes made*

Jazz Combo:  Combo is where students really get to study improvisation in depth, and learn about playing in lead roles.  Combos are no larger than 12 students, and are often as small as 3 players.  These rehearsals take place before and after school, and require a full year commitment.  Students in jazz combo often get extra performance experience during the year, and are strongly encouraged to attend the jazz jam at the Rotary Center for the Arts on Thursday nights at 5 pm.

Jazz Band:

Materials:  Jazz Band students will use a method book titled "Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method." 

Course Overview/Content:

Jazz Band builds upon the skills learned in Concert Band.  The following are additional learning expectations unique to jazz band:

Jazz Performance

• 1. Students will learn about jazz rhythm, articulation, and style.

Jazz Theory/History:

• 1. Students will learn to recognize chord symbols and chord progressions.

  2. Students will learn about jazz modes, scales and licks and how they apply to chord changes when improvising.

  3. A variety of jazz musicians will be discussed and students will listen to recorded performances of great jazz musicians.

  4. Students will learn about the origins of jazz music.

Improvisation:

Improvisation is a key element of jazz.  This is where students learn to use their knowledge of chords, scales and licks to create their own melodies and rhythms on the spot!  This is the most fun and rewarding aspect of jazz music. 

Evaluation:

             Grades:  Evaluation in this course will involve both formative (ungraded) and summative (graded) assessments.  Examples of formative assessments include peer/self-assessments, exit slips, solo and group performances, reflections, and written assessments.  Summative assessments could include performance tests, written assessments, and demonstrating mastery of skills and concepts.  Students are always encouraged to redo assessments if they would like to improve themselves.

              Work Habits: A Letter of G, S, or N will be assigned based on practice records, timely assignment completion, classroom attitude, behaviour, participation, and contribution to the music group.

Expectations:

• 1. Have Fun!  

  2. Respect!  This is the #1 classroom rule.  Be Kind.  Be supportive.

  3. Come Prepared.  This is an essential part of being successful in this course and means coming to each class with instruments, method books, binders, pencils, and any other required supplies.

  4. Attendance:  It is very difficult to do well in this course if you miss classes.  If you miss a class it is your responsibility to come and see me as soon as you return to school and to practice to catch up.  Step one is discussing with your classmates what you missed, and checking the website for handouts you may have missed.  Communicate with me upon your return.

  5.  Practice: Practice is the key to improving any skill.  I expect that ALL students in this course will practice regularly.

Parents:  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s progress and/or the classroom expectations.